“We are named the vineyard and wines after our daughter Marin who was 6 years old when we initially planted the vineyard. She worked / played alongside of us as we developed the vineyard and she grew up with it. She recently graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo this summer with a degree in winemaking and has been our winemaker for over a year.”
Where else can you go ANYWHERE in the world where you can walk in and find the owner or winemaker at the winery? Paso has some of the best wine in the world and some of the most talented wine folks in the world and they are still out in the fields, working in the tasting room and out and about around town accessible to everyone. — John Shaw
I fell in love with the Central Coast while attending school in SLO (not for wine). It is beautiful and uncrowded. We have very good fruit sources all over but the Sta. Rita Hills (for me) is the most special – meaning few peers in the world for Pinot Noir. — Steve Arrowood
“We fell in love with the industry when we lived in San Francisco when my husband and I were first married. We'd go up to Napa and stay at working vineyards. We knew this was something we wanted to do. We then moved to southern CA, and when we found our house in Malibu, there was a vineyard across the way and we knew we could plant there. We planted our first crop in 2001 and harvested from there in 2004.”
“As an avid wine lover, I was constantly on a quest for something better. I wanted elegance, body, and boldness in our wines. I wanted wines I would be proud to offer to our friends and family. This led to a fun, weekend hobby that gradually grew into home wine making and then evolved into wine that matters.”
“Each vintage is an archive of our efforts in winemaking. We take a lot of pride in our labels. We endeavor to tell a tale and allow consumers to become part of our story.” — Zach Jarosz
“We love Paso because we have strong roots in the community and have been here for a long time. We have seen Paso and our county as a whole blossom right before our eyes into a world class wine growing region and a popular destination spot without all the hullabaloo. The people for the most part are humble and hard working, yet relaxed and easy going and we feel that is reflected in our wines.”
“We choose to use the name Caliza for our winery as in Spanish it means limestone. It is the limestone based soils of our own vineyards, and much of Paso Robles area that makes for our great wine growing conditions. I felt that by choosing a name that always reminds us that the wines we produce begin in the vineyards and it is these special soils that give us much of the character found in our wines.” –Carl Bowker
I find myself wanting to make everything. And more and more obscure varietals are appealing to me lately. But, in all honestly the Bordeaux varietals are where it's at year after year. I love Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Merlot. I love the complexities and differences they make when you blend them together. — Angela Soleno
“My wife, Pamela, and I married in 2008 and became a blended family, with 7 children, our 7 angels. Ironically our two families have known each other since our children were small. Pamela and I found each other because, we believe, that angels had their hand in it.”
For me, it’s important to make a wine that reflects the best qualities of the grape clone, terrior and climate, rather than trying to create a wine to fit a specific market or critic’s taste. — Etienne Terlinden
“Alta Colina means “high hill” in Spanish. Since we’re all estate we wanted the label to be about our hilltop property. The steep hillsides and altitude are major factors that set Alta Colina Vineyard apart.” – Bob Tillman
“Cambria is home to far more cows than grapevine. We love the idea that we’ve established a vineyard in an area of California that is most definitely not known for wine! Could Cambria be California’s next Grand Cru vineyard? Only time will tell…”
“Winemaking is the only career I've ever had. I went to school for it, I've been doing it for 15 years, and I can't imagine doing anything else. I quit my day job last year (making wine for a larger company) to focus on Ranchero Cellars. It's been a challenge, but worth everything I've given it. “
